The objective of SMYT is to provide education in the performing arts for young people of all abilities and in particular to foster in them an appreciation and enjoyment of theatre arts and drama. They are taught team work and dedication and acquire self-confidence and a sense of belonging. A large number of the group go on to Performing Arts colleges and theatre schools.

Friday, 6 June 2008

MARIA WINS RHINOS FACTOR FINAL

SMYT's Maria Strudwick is flying high after winning an airline's answer to the X-Factor.Maria dazzled a crowd of around 17,000 rugby fans with her rendition of Mariah Carey's Hero, in the final of the contest to find Yorkshire's undiscovered stars.She beat stiff competition from two other singers vying for the top spot in the Jet2.com Rhinos Factor final at the Leeds Rhinos' local derby with Wakefield Wildcats at Headingley, Leeds last month.The 17-year-old won 61 per cent of all votes cast by text by the crowd, walking away with a week's holiday for two in Lanzarote as well as the coveted title. Congratulations from all at SMYT!

WHO ARE WE

St. Mary's Youth Theatre was formed in August 1993 by Steve Archdale who was concerned about the increasing problems of alcohol and drug abuse in the teenage community of Garforth. With so little for the youngsters to do, especially in the field of theatre arts and drama, the idea of creating a youth theatre seemed appropriate.

A cast of 60+ with ages ranging from 8 to 22 auditioned for Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, all were successful, no one was turned away. The show was rehearsed and performed in 8 weeks to thunderous acclaim in a church hall converted into a Pharaoh's tomb by a local artist. The following week they returned eager to find out what they were doing next. What began as a one-off production became the start of many shows to come.

A disastrous fire in 1995 wrecked their headquarters, destroying costumes, props and sets. This could easily have been the end of SMYT but as a result they have pulled together and grown stronger gradually replacing their losses. As members of the Leeds Civic Arts Guild they perform at the new, Leeds Carriageworks theatre which is in the Millenium Square, mainly musicals (i.e., Les Miserables, Jesus Christ Superstar, Fame, Children of Eden, etc.). The National Theatre Connections scheme gives the group the chance to perform new plays written by the very best writers. In 2002 they were fortunate to perform at the Royal National Theatre itself…what an experience! Their latest productions include Little Shop of Horrors, Honk, 17, Feather Boy,The Musicians,We Will Rock You, Rent, Our House, Les Miserables, Joseph and his Amazing Technicolor Dream Coat, The Passion, Our Cousin Flo, Scrooge, Peter Pan, Whistle Down The Wind and Annie.

SMYT are now based, rehearse and perform at Green Lane Academy and St Mary's Church, Garforth, Leeds and charge a yearly subscription fee of £40.